- With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
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Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary Murry is a certified nurse-midwife in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Murry, a Cincinnati native, has been a nurse-midwife practitioner for more than 20 years and is an instructor at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. She was a contributing reviewer and writer of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book.
Her research interests include adult female survivors of sexual abuse, women's perception of pain in labor, and obesity in pregnancy.
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Pregnancy and you blog
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Oct. 26, 2010
Managing labor pain: Trust your body
By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
If you watch reality shows about childbirth, you may come away with the idea that labor and delivery takes about 30 minutes and you can control labor pain with one or two relaxation techniques. So wrong! Sometimes labor is short and not so sweet, and other times labor is long and drawn out — and you won't know which way your own labor will turn out until it's over.
To handle labor pain, try various positions and techniques throughout labor. For example, you might rock during a few contractions, stand and sway for a few contractions, and then bounce on a labor ball for a few more. If lying down on the floor or squatting seems appealing, find a way to do it. What's best is what feels right at the moment — and it's likely to change as labor progresses. The foot massage that felt great when you were 4 centimeters dilated may make you want to kick someone at 6 centimeters. The rocking chair that seemed soothing at 6 centimeters may make you nauseated at 8 centimeters.
Also consider using noise as a distraction during labor. You might prepare a couple of playlists or burn a couple of CDs ahead of time — one featuring upbeat, energetic music and the other featuring quieter, more comforting tunes. You may end up using both types of music, only one or none at all. Again, this is something you won't know until you're in labor. I always thought I'd want music during my own labor, but silence was my preference once the contractions became more daunting.
As labor progresses, you may find it helpful to repeat a word or phrase over and over — either out loud or in your head. Ideally, your mantra will be something positive, such as your baby's name. If something more negative seems to stick in your head, though, go with whatever works.
In the end, don't be afraid to try anything and everything during labor. If something feels right, do it until it doesn't feel right anymore. If you run out of ideas, ask your nurse, midwife or doula for help. Have faith in yourself and your body as you bring your baby into the world.
9 comments posted
March 14, 2012 5:13 p.m.
Sue, you and I had almost identical experiences. I also got a hypo and had an easy time. I thank God for it today. I gained 14 lbs and exercised every day. my son is 36. I don't believe labor should be an endurance contest when pain meds are available.
- Sue
December 3, 2011 6:54 a.m.
i have read all the information given in your site, which is very useful. thanks for all this
- nisha
September 11, 2011 5:08 p.m.
I am a very lucky Mom. Our first born was 3 weeks early, my water broke @ 5:30am,got to the hospital at 6 and he was born at 6:32am. One push! Our daughter was 2 wks early, got to the hospital @ 12:20pm and she was born @ 1:15pm. No labor pains with either child, which can be scary since you don't know you are in labor because there is no pain. I exercised with both preganancies and truly believe that helped. Like I said, I'm a lucky girl. Good luck ladies.
- Momma
August 5, 2011 3:47 p.m.
I am due in 2 weeks! I am planning on having a medication free labor. I don't want to be like some mothers who can't recall their labors at all. It would be like waking up at the end of your wedding or some other life alternating event. I am not too posh to push. And I can't wait to see my little one come into this world!
- Alexis
February 21, 2011 2:27 p.m.
I think we live in a good time. If medical pain management is needed, it is available. If women want to expereince all of their labor without medication, that is supported also. We have some great options open for us. If I could preach one thing it would be that our bodies know how to have a baby. We have to learn how to let our bodies do their job. Letting go is never as easy as it sounds.
- Mary@Mayo
February 19, 2011 5:20 a.m.
I'm due in about a week and a half and I'm striving for an all natural labor. I keep reminding myself that women have been doing this for millions of years... before drugs! It's just the way nature intended. I have a positive attitude and a pretty good tolerance for pain. Wish me luck!!
- Joanne
February 5, 2011 2:07 p.m.
I am like Sue. When I got to the hospital (baby number 1) the nurse at an Army hospital gave me a shot. I slept through all my labor. My husband said the last 30 minutes or so, I was only awake for the contractions and would go back to sleep after each one. My first baby was born less than 4 hours after I got to the hospital. Baby number two and baby number 3 were very easy and came three hours after being admitted to the hospitals - three different hospitals. I gained 21 lbs. with each pregnancy and walked daily lots of miles. All three deliveries were wonderful. Mary
- Mary
November 3, 2010 6:01 p.m.
Labor can be an amazing and awesome experience, especially if you prepare ahead of time. I love how Mary talked about a "mantra" and saying the same positive thing over and over, as women usually need some form of ritual to help them cope with the contractions. Some people say that a positive attitude is 90% of how women do in labor. I agree with Mary that position changes and movement are always great to help baby move through the pelvis and out into the world, and help women cope and can even shorten labor time. Good support from a caregiver, doula, and loved ones are also essential, as is learning about the process and what is typical and natural for women and babies in labor. Of course, keeping upright pushing positions and especially ones that work with gravity for pushing are the best. We have also learned that keeping routine and unnecessary medical interventions to a minimum are of benefit to not only the mother and baby, but usually also to the progress of labor. Medical Interventions have their place and time, but come with some implications too. One resource you might want to check out is Lamaze International. They have some articles called "The Six Healthy Birth Practices", that give you relevant, sound information on how to achieve a natural, safe and healthy birth.
- Sharon
October 29, 2010 5:54 p.m.
Why not take advandage of the pain relief meds that are available now? I don't think labor should be unduly painful but leave the mother with a wonderful birth experience. I had a baby almost 35 years ago. When I got to the hospital, the nurse gave me a hypo. I don't even remember labor because I slept through it and my baby was born with just a couple of pushes four hours later. To this day, I thank the Lord for m awesome experience. What a kind, compassionate doctor I had!
- Sue
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